Forgotten Yesterday

Chapter 22:

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters borrowed for use in this story.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

They made their way to a small conference room off Snape's office.

Some of the other members of the order had already gathered. Others were unable to come at such short notice.

Molly Weasly sat off to one side as representative of her entire family. Sirius and Remus sat near Snape, whispering and looking at Harry and Hermione as they crossed the room. There were others Hermione had never seen before. They took a seat midway down the table and waited for the headmaster to speak.

"Well," he began, "Much as I hate to see all of you under this circumstance it has become necessary."

"Are you sure about this, Severus?" Molly put down her knitting and stared at him.

Snape gestured toward Harry.

"It was the dark mark. I believe I remember what it looks like. Which means either the deatheaters or the toad himself is coming to power again."

"Are you sure these things should be said around outsiders?" The blonde man looked pointedly at Hermione as he spoke.

"And with so many absent?" the dark haired man next to him spoke.

Snape rolled his eyes. "You'll have to forgive Timothy and Jonathan. They are fairly paranoid, even for aurors as well as being Ravencalws." He ignored the disgusted looks from the men and Molly Weasly. "If it will assuage everyone's worry." he continued when everyone nodded. "This is, as I'm sure you are all wondering, Hermione Granger." there was a a small gasp from the Weasly matriarch. "Our potions mistress. She will be joining us for what ever comes. They are Timothy and Jonathan Jameson our representatives within the aurors. Of course you all know the sodding boy-who-lived. And Molly Weasly."

There was a small cough from his side.

"Yes, fine, the mongrels." He waved his hand toward Sirius and Remus. "Draco and Ginny should be joining us shortly. They are packing their family to move here."

"Arthur and Percy are busy at the ministry, of course. The twins, Charlie and Bill should be back within an few days."

"Are we getting any reports from elsewhere?" Snape took his seat and shuffled through the papers on the desk.

Timothy stood and began to speak. "There are reports coming in from all over Europe. At about the same time over all major wizarding centers the dark mark was sighted."

"He's proclaiming his return." Remus said softly.

"Or at least telling us they are organized again." Sirius toyed with a quill.

"Either way it is a bad sign."

"We need to wait and see." Snape looked at the outrage around the room. "Don't start. We need a few days for things to settle. We also need to secure things. The Dementors?" he looked to Molly.

"Are being removed as we speak. The charmbreakers are also working to strengthen all the wards and base spells of the prison. Come morning that place will be more secure than Hogwarts itself."

"Let's hope not. We need to contact all of the deserters from their side. They will be a favored target."

"Speaking from experience I suppose." Black cast a cruel gaze at Snape.

"We will offer them sanctuary within the castle."

"Do you think they'll take it?" Jonathan seemed interested in his answer.

"The ones with families may. Draco Malfoy is moving his family here."

"Cause Molly would have killed him if he didn't." Harry added quietly.

"Yes, I would have Harry. He has more reason to worry than just being the son of Lucius Malfoy."

"Of course." Severus looked around the room.

"We all need to be more alert than we ever have been. This needs to be stopped before it has the chance to escalate to the level it did before." He began to dismiss them. "If any of you would like to stay and help re-enforce the wards around the school, it would certainly be appreciated."

Hermione looked over at Harry. He shrugged and took her hand. "I want to go to sleep." he leaned on her shoulder a little.

"Come on." she helped him up and began walking toward the door.

"Hermione?" Molly broke away from the others and approached them.

Hermione ignored her and continued on with Harry.

"I…" she began as Snape came toward her.

"She has had a hard life. We all failed her. She is just beginning to trust the community again. Give her time."

"I told her she could always count on me."

He rested a hand on her shoulder and turned to leave. He was confronted by Sirius and Remus. "What do you two want?"

They gave him looks and he sighed. "Come into my office."

________________________________________________________________________

Comments, Criticisms, etc..?